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Davidson County schools approve MOA amendment to restore nurse coverage after contract losses
Summary
Facing the loss of contract nurses, the board approved an addendum to its memorandum of agreement with the Davidson County Health Department to restore nurse coverage across schools; the district said this will reduce coverage to about 10–11 health department positions serving 35 schools if no additional funds are secured.
The Davidson County Board of Education reluctantly approved an amendment to its memorandum of agreement with the Davidson County Health Department to restore nurse coverage in district schools after contract nurses departed.
Kelsey Greer, director of student services, told the board that beginning Dec. 20 the district would need to transition health department nurses back into coverage at all 35 schools because contract nurses will no longer serve the district. Greer said the district had pursued a $1.5 million state grant to retain nurses but did not receive it. A request to county commissioners for $1 million in local support was also denied earlier in the budget process.
Under the addendum, the health department will provide school nurses to cover district sites; Greer and other staff said that once the addendum takes effect the district would have roughly 11 funded positions allocated to cover 35 schools, of which one position was already vacant at the time of the meeting (effectively about 10 nurses on staff until vacancies are filled).
Board members pressed staff on the implications. Staff said North Carolina issues recommended nurse-to-student ratios but does not fund minimum staffing; the district acknowledged it does not meet the recommended ratio and estimated the system would need about 30–40 nurses to meet recommended coverage for the district's student population. The board recorded a motion to approve the MOA amendment; members described the vote as a reluctant but necessary action to ensure any nurse presence in schools after Dec. 20.
The board asked staff to continue seeking grants and local partnerships to supplement nursing coverage and to report back if new funding is secured.
